Top of slope
Height is high, so potential energy is high and speed is low.
Energy Learning Tool
Potential and Kinetic Energy on a Slope
Move a ball down a smooth slope and watch potential energy turn into kinetic energy.
Core idea: At the top, potential energy is high and kinetic energy is low. At the bottom, potential energy is low and kinetic energy is high. Without friction, total energy stays constant.
30% down
0% is the top. 100% is the bottom.
2.00 kg
More mass means more total energy.
5.00 m
Higher starts store more gravitational potential energy.
Gravity changes both potential energy and speed.
Friction model
Optional: show some energy lost as heat.
Current height3.50 m
Speed5.42 m/s
Total energy98.1 J
Potential energy68.67 J
Kinetic energy29.43 J
Total energy98.1 J
Energy lost as heat0 J
PE = mgh, KE = TE - PE, TE = PE + KEWith friction off, total energy remains constant.
What to notice
- Move the ball lower: PE decreases and KE increases.
- Total energy stays constant when friction is off.
- Mass and height change the size of the energy numbers.
Energy story from top to bottom
Middle of slope
Some potential energy has changed into kinetic energy.
Bottom of slope
Height is low, so kinetic energy and speed are highest.
Practice keywords
Use this tool to explore potential and kinetic energy, total energy, speed, height, mass, and gravity.
potential and kinetic energypotential energykinetic energytotal energyenergy conservation